Greenlandic Parties: "We Are Greenlanders... No Amount of Money Can Buy Our Souls"

Trump's Overt Push for Annexation Spurs Joint Parliamentary Statement
"We Are Neither Americans Nor Danes"

Major political parties in Greenland, a territory of Denmark, have called for the immediate halt of the United States' discussions on "annexation," declaring that "the future of Greenland should be decided by Greenlanders."

According to Yonhap News Agency on January 9 (local time), citing dpa and other sources, five party leaders in the Greenlandic parliament, including Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen, issued a joint statement.

In the joint statement, they asserted, "We want to be Greenlanders, not Americans or Danes," and emphasized, "The future of Greenland should be decided by Greenlanders. We hope the United States will stop disregarding us."

A village in Greenland. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The parties have decided to advance the date of a planned parliamentary session to discuss the recent controversy, and are stepping up efforts to respond to external forces' discussions of annexation.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly expressed his intention to acquire Greenland. He stated, "I would like to resolve this easily through negotiations, but if not, I will pursue more difficult methods," suggesting the possibility of coercive measures. Reports also indicated that, in response to European opposition, he said, "Whether they like it or not, it doesn't matter." Foreign media reported that the United States had considered offering Greenland residents cash payments ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person.

Greenland has been under Danish colonial rule since the 18th century and was incorporated into Denmark proper in 1953. Sentiments toward Denmark are also complex. According to a survey conducted last year by the polling agency Berian, 56% of respondents supported independence, but 85% opposed a scenario in which independence from Denmark would lead to becoming part of the United States.

Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of parliament from Denmark, told Bloomberg, "No amount of money can buy the soul of our people," adding, "It is offensive to think that people can be bought with money."

Additionally, world-renowned pop artist Bjork from Iceland recently expressed solidarity with the people of Greenland via Instagram, criticizing both the United States and Denmark as "colonial powers."

She stated, "The very thought that my Greenlandic compatriots could go from one brutal colonial ruler to another is horrifying," and added, "Colonialism has always sent chills down my spine. People of Greenland, declare your independence."